In a blistering critique of the BJP-led central government, AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh pointed out that the ruling party is fostering an atmosphere of hate and neglecting the crisis in Manipur. Speaking during the discussion on the state’s budget, the AAP Rajya Sabha MP charged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembers “fish, mutton, and Mughals” from the letter ‘M’ but conveniently forgets Manipur, which has been engulfed in violence for two years.
Sanjay Singh asserted that the BJP reveres Godse over Gandhiji, warning that the erosion of democracy would pave the way for dictatorship. Calling for urgent intervention, he declared that India must follow the ideals of Gandhi and Buddha—not the path of hate.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh stated in Parliament that he had raised the issue of Manipur in the House. “The government may have disagreed with my approach, but I was suspended for the longest period in Indian parliamentary history. Due to raising the Manipur issue, I was kept out of the House for 11 months,” he added.
The AAP Rajya Sabha MP further added, “Now, the Manipur budget is being presented at a time when the country’s economy is in dire straits—when the common people of India have lost ₹94 lakh crore in the stock market within five months, when unemployment has reached a 50-year high, and when the Modi government, in its current term, has burdened the country with ₹186 lakh crore in debt. The gap between the rich and the poor has widened to levels last seen 100 years ago.”
Sanjay Singh criticized PM Narendra Modi, saying that PM Modi has a peculiar fondness for words starting with ‘M’—such as ‘M’ for mutton, ‘M’ for fish, ‘M’ for Mughals, and ‘M’ for Muslims—but conveniently forgets ‘M’ for Manipur. Manipur has been burning for two years. “Houses belonging to Union Ministers, the state’s PWD Minister, the Consumer Affairs Minister, and several MLAs have been torched,” said the AAP MP.
He pointed out that despite this, the Prime Minister of India could not spare even a single day in two years to visit Manipur and express his condolences. A country’s Prime Minister is supposed to be its guardian, and a government should act as a parent. But instead, the state government set Manipur on fire, and the central government aided it. How will Manipur survive under such circumstances?
Sanjay Singh declared that India will follow the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautam Buddha—it will walk the path of non-violence. However, today, the entire country is witnessing violence and riots. Hatred is being spread across India because those in power do not love Gandhi; they worship Godse. That is why the nation’s atmosphere has deteriorated. Statues of Mahatma Gandhi, the saint of Sabarmati, are installed in 80 countries around the world, yet in India’s Parliament, Gandhi’s statue, which was earlier in a central position, has been pushed to a corner. This government is determined to spread violence and hatred.
Referring to the remarks of a Trinamool Congress MP, Sanjay Singh emphasized that a leaked audio clip she mentioned is extremely serious and must be investigated. If found authentic, the then Chief Minister of Manipur should be arrested and strict action should be taken. The Wire news portal has released the audio, in which the Manipur Chief Minister is allegedly heard saying that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had called him and instructed, “Biren Singh, if you bomb them, do it secretly.” This conversation between the Home Minister and the Chief Minister of Manipur must be made public.
Sanjay Singh further highlighted the devastation in Manipur, stating that 300 people have lost their lives, 7,000 people have been displaced, 5,000 homes have been burned, and 386 religious sites have been destroyed. Additionally, 18,000 people in Manipur have been affected by floods, and 24,000 have been displaced. Yet, when it came to financial assistance, the budget for Manipur saw only a 0.50% increase. In 2024-25, Manipur’s budget was ₹34,899 crore, which was later revised down to ₹32,656 crore. Now, for 2025-26, the budget has been increased by only 0.50% to ₹35,103 crore.
Sanjay Singh pointed out blatant discrimination against Manipur in central government schemes. “The budget for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana was cut by 72%, Ayushman Bharat by 78%, OBC scholarships by 58%, the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan by 42%, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana by 60%, and the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana by 30%.”
“Meanwhile, horrific crimes against women were committed in Manipur—a Kargil war hero’s wife was stripped naked and paraded. Yet, the budget for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme was cut by 49%, Anganwadi centers by 93%, shelters for women by 73%, the Shakti Sadan Samarthya Yojana by 60%, and the Sakhi Niwas scheme by 81%. The central government has systematically discriminated against Manipur,” stated the AAP MP.
Sanjay Singh pointed out that the BJP is spreading hatred across the country while ignoring crucial economic issues like unemployment, inflation, and the plight of farmers. He remarked, “You keep shouting about Aurangzeb while the public says their pockets are being emptied. Worry about Hindustan, worry about the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Do not follow the path of Godse, for this country will not progress on that road. It will only move forward by following the ideals of Gandhi. Even Gandhi’s statue seems to make the BJP uncomfortable.”
Sanjay Singh strongly criticized the absence of any budgetary provision to rehabilitate the 60,000 people left homeless in Manipur. If clashes were occurring between two communities, it was the responsibility of the state’s Chief Minister and the Prime Minister to work toward peace. However, they failed to do so.
“For two years, the opposition demanded the removal of Manipur’s Chief Minister, but he was not removed. The Prime Minister imposed President’s Rule in Manipur only after the controversial audio clip surfaced and began gaining attention. If the truth behind this audio clip is exposed, not just the state government but senior central leaders will also be unmasked before the nation,” he added.
Sanjay Singh warned the central government not to destabilize the country. He urged them to prioritize the restoration of democracy in Manipur. President’s Rule has been imposed, yet it is unfortunate that Manipur’s budget is being discussed in Parliament instead of its own Legislative Assembly. “The central government must take steps to restore democracy and establish peace. When democracy is strangled, dictatorship follows—and dictatorship is never good for any country,” he affirmed.
The AAP MP asserted, “It leads to riots, hatred, and communal conflicts. While the Prime Minister has time to travel to ‘M’ for Mauritius, the people of India are still waiting to see when he will visit ‘M’ for Manipur. The Prime Minister does not need a visa to visit Manipur. He embraces wealthy businessmen in Qatar as if they are long-lost brothers. Why can’t he embrace the people of Manipur in the same way?”
“The people of the country are waiting for this. The Prime Minister does not need a visa to visit Manipur. He travels to Qatar, embraces the businessmen there as if they were long-lost brothers reunited at the Kumbh Mela. The Prime Minister should embrace the people of Manipur in the same way,” concluded Sanjay Singh.
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